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New year, new start! You've eaten your way through a turkey bigger than your granny, watched the Christmas repeats of the repeats from last year and smiled gratefully as you carefully unwrap the most hideous jumper you have EVER seen! So what now for the new year? Are you going to make those new years resolutions that you'll probably won't keep? Do you feel ready for something different? If you have started work recently or plan to do so after your exams this year, you might feel like a new challenge. |
For many young people, the option of looking for employment is the right choice.
You will see from many other articles on this site, that there are many ways
of getting into work and different types of jobs to consider. Some of you may
be in or considering a work based training scheme and gaining vocational qualifications.
Some of you may have simply applied and got a job, plain and simple! This article
is about distance learning and how you can continue with your further or higher
education, even if you have to work full-time.
You can do a distance course in art for beginners or gain an honours degree in maths. The choice is yours. If you have a look at the article "It's not a life sentence" you will see the links to Learn Direct and other places where you can find out more about the choices you have. You can choose from different subjects, different qualifications, courses for fun rather than those with exams or those that are free and those that have fees. Distance learning is great because you can work full-time and continue with your education. It is also a second chance.
Victoria, left school after A-levels and started a work based training scheme. She carried on working and achieved some vocational qualifications and then was lucky enough to be granted a day release from her employer to go to college to study for a HNC in Business. Each qualification achieved helped her to apply for new and better jobs, but she felt that she had a reached a level where she was now competing with graduates. She had chosen not to go to university and now many of the job advertisements were using words like "graduate calibre" or "degree in related subject". She was very frustrated because she felt that she had lots of work experience relevant to the job description, but was unable to apply because she didn't meet the criteria. Her boss suggested that she have a look at distance learning courses. She started looking on the internet and on the international centre for distance learning and looked at various distance learning colleges. Eventually she decided to enquire with the Open University about a degree course.
One of the things she found most helpful was that the advisers were very keen
to provide information about course subjects, qualifications and materials.
They also seemed to have a keen interest in supporting students personally with
their studies and any personal issues they might have. Considering this was
distance learning, she did not feel isolated at all.
She didn't want to be tied down to one subject and found that the OU would allow
her to study different subjects which could (in many cases) count towards her
chosen degree qualification. Even better, the points from her HNC could be transferred
towards her OU degree. She found that once she started studying courses towards
her degree, many employers would consider her for graduate level jobs, because
she had shown a commitment towards getting her degree.
"The Open University (OU) is the United Kingdom's only university dedicated to distance learning."
"For most courses there are no previous qualifications required to study, you have to be aged 18 when your course starts but there is no upper age limit."
"A third of our UK undergraduate students have entry qualifications lower than those normally demanded by other UK universities."
"The University itself is ranked among the top UK universities for
the quality of its teaching"
So if you are thinking about you new years challenge and you haven't or will not be choosing to continue with full-time education this year, why not look into distance learning such as the OU or other courses. Why don't you at least spend some time looking at the certificates, diplomas, degree courses available. Some are free and the OU offer budget schemes to help students to pay for their courses with monthly lower payments. In some cases employers may wish to sponsor you to do a course. However, It doesn't have to be about getting more qualifications, it could just be about enjoying learning something new and meeting fellow students. You could even attend the residential schools and live the student life for a week!
Just because we make our choices whilst at school, doesn't mean we are stuck to them forever.
It is never too late to educate!
Good luck and Happy New Year!
Jennie Glitherow
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